China, Grenada celebrate 10th anniversary of ties resumption

BEIJING — China and Grenada on Jan 20 celebrated the tenth anniversary of resumption of diplomatic ties, as China calls for more vigor in relations with the Caribbean nation.

The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held a banquet attended by around 20 guests including senior officials from both sides and several Grenadian students studying in China.

Before the banquet, Eligen Imibakhi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, met with Karl Hood, Grenadian ambassador to China, saying that the two sides have enjoyed “frequent high-level contact, deepened political mutual trust and expanded cooperation over the past ten years.”

China and Grenada established diplomatic relations in 1985 and severed ties in 1989 over the issue of Taiwan. The two nations reestablished ties on Jan. 20, 2005.

According to a white paper on foreign aid issued in July 2014, the two cooperated on agriculture and fisheries, and on addressing climate change.

“Our people have benefited greatly and will continue to benefit from the goodwill of China,” Hood said at the banquet, adding that his country appreciates China’s support on infrastructure, sports facilities, overseas scholarship and cultural exchange.

Addressing the banquet, CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan said the CPAFFC is ready to make more efforts to advance bilateral people-to-people contacts.

A total of 35 Grenadian students currently study in China.

The total value of China’s trade with Grenada reached 14 million U.S. dollars in 2014, up 10.3 percent over the previous year, according to the General Administration of Customs.